Abstract P4-05-02: oncoplastic breast surgery and involvement of plastic surgery improve quality of life by Breast-Q score in breast conserving surgery
Authors: Michael E. Stuntz, Tamara A. Rychkov, Jenna Garcia
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract Introduction: Breast cancer surgery is a life altering event which can have profound consequences on a woman’s physical, mental and emotional health. Breast Surgery creates cosmetic changes which can harm a woman’s emotional well-being and quality of life. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy has been found to improve many quality of life measures and has been well studied. This has been less well studied in breast conserving surgery. The addition of oncoplastic breast surgical techniques and involvement of a plastic surgeon for immediate reconstruction following partial mastectomy can improve the cosmetic outcome for patients, reduce synptoms of breast hypertrophy and improve quality of life. To assess this, we applied the Breast Q scale before and after surgery and found a significant improvement in multiple quality of life indices. Methods: Between January 2020 through May 2022, 136 women undergoing breast conservation were given the Breast Q Version 2.0 Breast conserving therapy module (pre-and postoperative scales) written questionnaire before and again between 3 and 6 months after surgery. The Breast Q survey is a standard tool used by surgeons to assess a variety of quality of life factors following breast surgery. The patients were prospectively studied but not randomized in any specific way. The surgical technique used for the procedure was determined by a discussion between the patient and her breast surgeon. Results were divided into groups based on type of surgery and differences between groups with respect to the Breast-Q questions were analyzed with the student T test for p values. Results: Patients were divided into three categories; simple closure, the control group (20% n=26), oncoplastic closure with internal tissue rearrangement greater than 10 cm² (60% n=79) and patients who had involvement of a plastic surgeon for therapeutic mammaplasty and contralateral symmetry procedure (25% n=31). Significant improvement (p&amp;lt;.05) over the control arm and patients undergoing standard oncoplastic closures without a plastic surgeon was noted in several areas. These include an increase in confidence in a social setting, acceptance of her body, overall attractiveness, overall emotional health, sexual confidence and comfort wearing clothing and/or bra. Relative to the control group, the addition of oncoplastic closure also showed significant improvement in scores over patients without these techniques although the magnitude was smaller than with the use of a plastic surgeon. Conclusion: In breast conserving surgery, the addition of oncoplastic closure and especially the involvement of a plastic surgeon for therapeutic mammaplasty is highly effective at limiting some aspects of the deficits in quality of life and, surprisingly, significantly improved this from baseline in many patients. Where appropriate, these techniques should be employed to enhance individual patients quality of life.. Citation Format: Michael E. Stuntz, Tamara A. Rychkov, Jenna Garcia. oncoplastic breast surgery and involvement of plastic surgery improve quality of life by Breast-Q score in breast conserving surgery [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-05-02.